Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-08-25

continued hall to himself
Eyes. he Is grumpy and plucky too.
but I'm afraid he Is in bad box"
Annie's interest revived. but she re-
membered the snub, and merely ut
tered discreet oh" while Lawrence
kept on:
.'Yes, bad, tight box. I declare
can't see the slightest show for him,
but he stands to it like Roman"
This was too much for Annie, and she
burst out with:
"Why can't you tell your story out
Lawrerc,. and not keep tantalizing
one by your wandering suggestions!''
Z" beg pardon; but l have neither
wandered nor suggested. have made
positive statements. and all to the
point. If any one -"
" Oh, pshaw -. Stop your nom
sense. and tell your story! I'm get
ting interested. Next to a mysterious
woman. think a stern, grumpy old
man has the most possibilities about
him. What's his crinle?''
"a plain. simple. and, l must con-
fess. very vulgar One-pocket pick
ing"
The horrid wretch! l don't want
to hear another word. Nothing new
or interesting can be found in that
line"
Il beg pardon again, but some
thing both new and inte resting has
developed in this case. A minutes
patience. and 1 will tell the whole
thing. The man calls himself Peter
Perkins. which know is not his
name. He was ARE sted week ago,
right opposite this house, for picking
pocket in Sixth avenue car; said
to have been clearly tracked here.
He resisted the arrest violently, and,
at the station-house. protested his in
nocence, and claimed that he had
been looking for rooms here, and had
just come out of the house. When
asked for proof, he could give none;
said he had only seen servant and
that in the dark. Very lame story, of
course. Also said he had just ar
rived from Calcutta, and knew no one
in the city. This might be true, for
he is foreign both in looks and dress.
They searched his pockets, and found
nothing suspicious-only some for
eign money. which was in his favor,
ard he was about being discharged,
when it was suggested to take off his
OvercOat. 1t was done, and right I'M
der the collar they found gold brace
let"
my good gracious!" And Law
renee saw his wife's mouth and lips
open wide, while her cheeks changed
quickly from red to white.
what on earth is the matter,
Annie?"
Nothing. Yes. something. Oh,
Lawrence. this is Dreadful
''For the man? Yes, it certainly
does look serious, but not enough to
feel SO badly about. At the worst he can
only GET 1T isn't that! But-but
oh, Lawrence-that is my bracelet"
and Annie burst into tears. Lawrence
looked at his wife in amazement Had
she gone crazy?
"Your bracelet, Annie? You must
be dreaming!'
"NO, Lawrence, l am not. 1t is my
bracelet, the one that was mammals.
See" holding up her arm, Il haven't it
on" and then. with many tears, she
told che story of the meeting in the
hall. Lawrence heard her through
and then burst into q hearty laugh.
which, Of course, restored her COM
posture and aroused her temper.
I'D like to know what you are
laughing at! I'm sure l don't see any
thing funny!'
mo. l suppose not, and I don't
know that it is just the thing for me to
see any thing of that color in my wife's
shamelessly confessing that she has
Rugged another man."
Lawrence. won't stand it!''
Stand what? I've done nothing,
my dear. You managed the whole
business"
Il did not!'
'.Ah!" he kissed back; lid he?
Really this is beginning to look as if
there was method"-
"There, do hush. Be still for PHYS
sake" and Annie began to cry again.
Lawrence's tone changed at once.
There. little girl. don't take it SO to
heart. There is no harm done. and
you ought to feel very thankful that
you are able to clear this poor fellow"
Il clear him! Oh, Lawrence. Il
never can go to court and tell this!'
Annie, You would not knowing
this, keep silent and let the poor man
go to prison?''
NO, no; of course not But couldn't
you tell it for me? Say l told you,
you know. The judge would never
doubt you""
''Oh, no. certainly not; but it would
be safer not to give him the chance. all
the same. And now. dear, get your
hat and cloak. and we will take little |
recreation after this Ordeal"
Police courts are not attractive re-